After Xperia Z3 & Xperia Z3 Compact, Sony has started rolling out the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update for Xperia Z2 as well. As of now, this update is rolling out for D6503 variant in Baltic and Nordic regions. The update carries some major changes including the UI change atop of the list. New UI is designed according to Google’s Material Design, but as always, Sony has kept the changes very minimal. There are new notifications on the lockscreen, new user and guest modes. Battery life and the over-all performance of the device has been enhanced and improved as well.

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop is reaching out the users through OTA updates or through Sony PC companion. It will take a while for this update to hit different regions all across the world. Users who can’t wait to get their hands on this update as soon as possible, they will have to find some workaround for this. Before you start looking out for that, we’ve already done the job for you. In the on-going post, we are going to flash / install this official Android 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware carrying the build number 23.1.A.0.690 on Sony Xperia Z2 D6503using the FTF in Sony Flashtool. Let’s go through some early preparations now and then update our beloved Xperia Z2.

Early Preparations:

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z2

This ROM is only for the device mentioned above. Make sure that your model number matches the one listed above. To do so, go to Settings > About Device on your device and see your model number. Flashing this firmware on any other device will result in bricking it so make sure that you meet this requirement first of all.

2. Battery should be charged at least over 60%.

Make sure that your battery is charged enough to complete the flashing process. In case your battery is low and your device goes dead during the flashing process, you may end up soft bricking your device as it won’t complete the flashing process.

3. Backup everything!

Just to be on the safe side, you may consider backing up each and everything from your Android device. This is highly recommended so that in case anything goes wrong, you still have the access to all of your data and you can restore it immediately. You may backup everything as listed below.

Titanium Backup– If already rooted, use Titanium Backup to backup all of your apps, system data and other important content. If you haven’t rooted your device previously, skip this step.

Backup Nandroid – If CWM or TWRP installed previously, otherwise skip this step and perform this at the end of flashing.

4. Enable USB Debugging Mode on your device.

Enable USB debugging mode on your device. To do so, tap settings>developer options>USB debugging. If you can’t find developer options in settings, then tap settings > about device and tap “Build Number” for 7 times and you’ll get em’ activated under settings.

After installing Sony Flashtool, open the Flashtool folder from the drive where you installed it. Now open Flashtool>Drivers>Flashtool-drivers.exe and install the Flashtool, Fastboot & Xperia Z2 drivers from the list. [Important]

6. Use OEM data cable to establish connection.

Make sure that you use the phone’s original data cable to establish connection between your phone and the PC. Using a different data cable might result in interrupting the firmware installation.

Hey Usama. Everything seemed to work out just fine, except i can’t access any of my text messages. The stock messaging, downloading messaging, nothing seems to be connecting to see any messages at all.